Welcome back to this installment of the 22 Steps in Researching Your Family Tree!
Are you curious about your family history and want to learn more about your ancestors? If so, you’re in luck because it’s now easier than ever to find information about your ancestors thanks to the wealth of information available online. In this article, we will explore how to find ancestors in census records, military documents, and ship’s passenger lists. These records can provide a wealth of information about your ancestors, including their name, age, occupation, place of birth, and family members. We will also follow the story of Alexa, who started her journey to find information about her ancestors and discovered a treasure trove of information about her family’s history. So, whether you’re a seasoned genealogist or just starting out, these records can provide a wealth of information about your family history. Let’s get started and uncover your family’s past!
Researching one’s family history can be a fascinating and rewarding endeavour. Thanks to the wealth of information now available online, it is easier than ever to find information about one’s ancestors. In this article, we will explore how to find ancestors in census records, military documents, and ship’s passenger lists.
Census Records
Census records are a valuable resource for genealogists. The United States Census has been taken every ten years since 1790, with the exception of 1890, which was destroyed by a fire in 1921. These records can provide a wealth of information about your ancestors, including their name, age, occupation, place of birth, and family members.
To find your ancestors in census records, you can start by searching online databases such as Ancestry.com or FamilySearch.org. Both of these websites offer access to millions of census records from around the world. You can search by name, location, or other criteria to narrow down your search.
If you know the location where your ancestor lived, you can also check with local libraries or historical societies. Many of these organizations have copies of census records that have been digitized and made available online. You can also contact the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) to request copies of census records.
Military Documents
Military documents can provide a wealth of information about your ancestors, including their name, age, place of birth, occupation, and family members. Military records can also provide information about your ancestor’s service, including the branch of the military they served in, the dates of their service, and their rank.
To find your ancestor’s military records, you can start by searching online databases such as Fold3.com or Ancestry.com. Both of these websites offer access to millions of military records from around the world. You can search by name, location, or other criteria to narrow down your search.
If you are looking for military records from the United States, you can also check with the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). NARA has a vast collection of military records, including draft registration cards, service records, and pension files. You can request copies of these records online or by mail.
Ship’s Passenger Lists
If your ancestors immigrated to the United States, ship’s passenger lists can be a valuable resource. These lists can provide information about your ancestor’s name, age, occupation, and place of birth. They can also provide information about the ship they traveled on and the port of departure and arrival.
To find your ancestor’s ship’s passenger list, you can start by searching online databases such as Ancestry.com or FamilySearch.org. Both of these websites offer access to millions of passenger lists from around the world. You can search by name, location, or other criteria to narrow down your search.
If you are looking for passenger lists from the United States, you can also check with the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). NARA has a vast collection of passenger lists, including lists from Ellis Island and other ports of entry. You can request copies of these records online or by mail.
Conclusion
In conclusion, finding ancestors in census records, military documents, and ship’s passenger lists can be a fascinating and rewarding experience. With the wealth of information available online, it is easier than ever to locate these records and learn about your ancestors. Whether you are a seasoned genealogist or just starting out, these records can provide a wealth of information about your family history. So go ahead and start your search today!
Alexa’s Story
Let’s take for example the story with Alexa finding information on her ancestors:
Alexa had always been curious about her family history, but she never really knew where to start. So one day, she decided to take the plunge and begin her search for her ancestors.
She remembered reading about the importance of census records, military documents, and ship’s passenger lists, so she set out to find them.
Her first step was to search online for free resources, and she found a wealth of information on the National Archives website. There, she was able to access census records from the 1800s and 1900s, as well as military records from World War II.
As she combed through the records, she came across the names of her great-grandparents and great-great-grandparents, and was thrilled to learn more about their lives.
Next, she turned her attention to ship’s passenger lists. She had heard stories about how her ancestors had emigrated to the United States from Europe, and she was eager to find out more about their journeys.
Using a combination of free and paid resources, she was able to locate ship manifests from the late 1800s and early 1900s, which listed her ancestors’ names, ages, occupations, and countries of origin. She was fascinated by the details and could almost imagine what it was like to be in their shoes.
Finally, Alexa turned to military records, hoping to learn more about her ancestors’ service in various wars. She discovered that several of her relatives had served in the military, and was able to access their service records, which included information about their ranks, units, and service dates.
As she read through the records, she felt a sense of pride and gratitude for their sacrifice and service to their country.
In the end, Alexa was thrilled with what she had discovered through her search for her ancestors. She had learned so much about her family’s history, and felt a deeper connection to her past. She was excited to share her findings with her family and to continue her search for more information about her ancestors.
Genealogy Resources
There are several websites that offer access to census records, military documents, and ship’s passenger lists. Here are some of the most popular ones:
- Ancestry.com – https://www.ancestry.com/ Ancestry is one of the largest genealogy websites, offering access to billions of records including census records, military records, and ship’s passenger lists. They offer a range of subscription options, including a free trial.
- FamilySearch.org – https://www.familysearch.org/ FamilySearch is a non-profit website operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They offer free access to billions of records, including census records, military records, and ship’s passenger lists.
- National Archives – https://www.archives.gov/ The National Archives houses a wealth of historical records, including military records and ship’s passenger lists. Many of these records are available online, while others can be accessed in person at one of their research facilities.
- Fold3 – https://www.fold3.com/ Fold3 is a website that specializes in military records, including enlistment records, pension records, and draft registration cards. They offer a free trial, as well as subscription options.
- Ellis Island – https://www.libertyellisfoundation.org/ Ellis Island was the primary entry point for immigrants to the United States from 1892 to 1954. The Ellis Island website offers access to ship’s passenger lists, as well as other historical records related to immigration.
- The National Archives of the UK – https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ The National Archives of the UK houses a range of historical records, including census records, military records, and ship’s passenger lists. Many of these records can be accessed online, while others require a visit to one of their research facilities.
- Findmypast – https://www.findmypast.com/ Findmypast is a website that offers access to billions of records, including census records, military records, and ship’s passenger lists. They offer a free trial, as well as subscription options.
In conclusion, finding ancestors in census records, military documents, and ship’s passenger lists can be an exciting and rewarding journey. These records can provide valuable insights into the lives of our ancestors and help us better understand our family history. Whether you are using Ancestry.com, FamilySearch.org, the National Archives, Fold3, or Ellis Island, there are a variety of resources available to help you locate and access these records. By following the steps outlined in this guide and utilizing the many resources available, you can discover a wealth of information about your ancestors and uncover fascinating details about your family’s past.
Guides to Finding Ancestors in Census Records, Military Documents, and Ship’s Passenger Lists
The next blog in the series will focus on Step 8: ‘Find ancestors through city directories, land records, court & prison records, and in immigration & naturalization records’. In this upcoming blog, we will explore how to use city directories, land records, court & prison records, and immigration & naturalization records to uncover information about your ancestors. These records can provide valuable insights into your ancestors’ lives, including where they lived, worked, and traveled, as well as their legal and immigration histories. Stay tuned for more tips and strategies on how to uncover your family’s history!
NOTE:
In closing this blog post, I hope that this blog series has been beneficial to you in learning more about genealogy and how to trace your family history. If you have any questions, comments, or feedback on the series or would like to suggest any improvements, please don’t hesitate to send me a message or email. I value your input and appreciate your support in helping me to create more helpful and informative content for aspiring genealogists. Thank you for following along on this journey, and I wish you the best of luck in your own genealogical research.
Discovering Your Past 